Improve the look of any layout

novak_Sweetspot

hildren frolic in a pond, staying out of the way of a resident steering his kayak through the waters. Nearby, a train led by the Flyer no. 350 Royal Blue 4-6-2 Pacific Bill played with as a boy weaves its way over the ballasted track. Bill Novak Bill Novak shares a dozen tips for improving […]

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New model trains for the week of October 17, 2019

Broadway Limited Imports HO scale Pennsylvania RR GG1 electric locomotive

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP38-2 diesel locomotive. Canadian Pacific (with beaver herald in one road number, without in three), CIT Rail Leasing (blue, three numbers), Farmrail (tan and brown, three numbers), Huron & Eastern (RailAmerica scheme, four numbers), Norfolk Southern (“Training First Responders” scheme, one number), and RJ Corman (red and gray, three numbers). […]

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Timeline of garden railroading

timeline

We were digging in our archive and remembered a timeline history of the hobby that we published in our December 2003 issue. We thought our readers would enjoy seeing it again. Download a free PDF of this article at the link below! […]

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Model Railroader project plans: A freelanced factory

Freelancedfactory

Many of us have hobbies within this hobby. Some like history, some collect freight cars or locomotives. Me? I read old issues of Model Railroader. In the past 15 years I’ve gone through my entire 50-year collection four times. Because my tastes and interests evolve over time, I inevitably find something new with each re-reading. […]

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Jammed doors lead to service woes on new Ottawa light rail line

ottawa_o_train

OTTAWA, Ontario — Ottawa’s recently opened light rail Confederation Line experienced major operating issues because of jammed doors on Wednesday, with some passengers reportedly walking more than two miles to reach work as they abandoned the backed-up rail system. It was the second straight day the rail line was plagued by jammed doors on the […]

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How to solder and conceal track feeder wires

trackfeederslead

Soldering track feeders isn’t that difficult. Learn this easy method for making reliable wiring connection that are also easy to conceal on a model train layout. Soldering feeders to the rails is a wiring method modelers have used since the hobby began. By soldering feeders directly to the rails instead of using other types of […]

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New model trains for the week of October 10, 2019

Wm. K. Walthers Inc. HO scale Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACe diesel locomotive

HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP7 diesel locomotive. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (black-and-gray scheme with “Everywhere West” slogan); Chicago & North Western (repaint in two road numbers and passenger service with “Route of the Streamliners” slogan); Denver & Rio Grande Western (orange-and-black scheme with Flying Grande lettering, four numbers); Maine Central (gold-and-green scheme, four numbers); […]

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